Scoring device and counter therefor

ABSTRACT

A scoring device is provided, that is adapted for use with the game of golf, as well as for other uses, and which is provided with means for individually indicating the score attained in each hole played, as well as for continuously indicating the total score attained throughout the game. The device is also adapted for indicating the particular hole being played at any time. That portion of the device which maintains a running total score throughout the game comprises a counter also of unique construction, and adapted for a multitude of other uses. The scoring device is generally of tubular construction, having members rotatable relative to each other, for driving the various mechanisms which set the scores.

States Patent 3,770,193 Nov. 6, 1973 SCORING DEVICE AND COUNTER THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Charles Frank Sauter, 1620 Shepard I Dr., Maple Glen, Pa. 19002 [22] Filed: May 8, 1972 [21] App1.No.: 251,319

[52] US. Cl. 235/117 R, 235/117 A [51] 1nt.'Cl G06c 27/00 [58] Field of Search 235/117 R, 139 A, 235/117 A, 118, 114, 91 R, l R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 622,756 4/1899 Camp 235/139 A 2,042,249 5/1936 Constantine.... 235/117 A 3,468,479 9/1969 Sauter 235/117 R 3,635,395 1/1972 Walsh 235/117 R Primary ExaminerStephen J. Tomsky AttorneyHenry N. Paul, Jr. et a].

[57] ABSTRACT A scoring device is provided, that is adapted for use with the game of golf, as well as for other uses, and which is provided with means for individually indicating the score attained in each hole played, as well as for continuously indicating the total score attained throughout the game. The device is also adapted for indicating the particular hole being played at any time. That portion of the device which maintains a running total score throughout the game comprises a counter also of unique construction, and adapted for a multitude of other uses. The scoring device is generally of tubular construction, having members rotatable relative to each other, for driving the various mechanisms which set the scores.

11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures rain po'ooooooooooooooo PATENIEDHBV Ems 3.770.193

SHEET 1 0F 2 Fig. l

Pmm nmw ems SHEEI 2 BF 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The scoring device of the present invention is an improvement upon the Golf Scoring Device of my prior invention, U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,479, issued Sept. 23, 1969. The device of my prior invention, while being highly desirable in many of its features, in eliminating the necessity of utilizing a pencil in connection with a scoring device, and in obviating the necessity of having separate actuating means for setting the score of each hole played, as with many prior art types of devices, has, in some of its embodiments, utilized a telescopically movable member for setting the score on each hole played.

It has been found that, in some instances, it may be even more desirable, to have a mechanism for setting the score on each hole played that does not require telescopic movement of an actuating member outside a desired minimum length for the device, for facilitating ease of carrying and handling of the device. Furthermore, it has been found desirable to utilize a unique counting device that lends itself to a miniaturized construction, and which is adaptable not only for use with a golf scoring device, but with other scoring devices, and even for independent use separate and apart from scoring devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention therefore seeks to provide a golf scoring device that is adapted to record the score of each of a plurality of individual holes being played, as well as to record the total score, and which may be conveniently carried on the person ofa user. Additionally, while the present invention lends itself to construction of a device of convenient size, the same may be readily set for actuation of the next hole to be played.

Even further, the device of the present invention provides a'novel scoring device for a great many other uses.

The device of this inventjion also provides a counter that is adapted for use with and as a part of a golf scoring device, as well as for other uses.

Even further, the devices of this invention lend themselves toward relatively inexpensive manufacture, as compared with, perhaps other types of devices.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved scoring device for indicating a plurality of individual scores, and a total cumulative score.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device in accordance with the object set forth immediately above, wherein the device is particularly adapted for use with the game of golf.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel counting device.

It is another object of this invention to provide a scoring device which is adapted for meeting any of the objects set forth immediately above, and which may be conveniently carried by a user.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a scoring device, and to provide a counter, each of which may be economically constructed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent, to those skilled in the art, upon a reading of the following brief descriptions of the drawing figures, detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view of a golf scoring device, in accordance with this invention.

F IG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the device of FIG. 1 with portions broken away and with other portions in section, for the purpose of clarity.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken through the device illustrated in FIG. 2, generally along the line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the scoring device of FIG. 2, taken generally along the line IVIV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the device of FIG. 2, taken generally along the line V-V of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the device of FIG. 2, taken generally along the line VI-VI of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of components of the counter or counting device of this invention, that are further illustrated at the left-most end of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken through several of the components of the counting device, generally along the line VIIIVIII of FIG. 3, wherein the operation of the counting device may be more clearly understood.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, but taken generally along the line IX-IX of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a view taken generally along the line X-X of FIG. 3, and wherein indicia on the drive belt is illustrated, for indicating the hole being played at any given time.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG. 1, wherein the golf scoring device of this invention is generally indicated by the numeral 12, as including a fixed casing member 13, qnd a rotatably movable member 14 carried at the right-most end thereof, movable relative to the casing 13, along a mating or parting line 15 thereof. A plurality of windows 16 are provided in the casing 13, that are longitudinally aligned, and which number from 1 to 18, to correspond to 18 holes of golf. It will be understood, that if the device of this invention is to be used for other purposes, a corresponding number of windows may be provided, as desired, but that, for the purposes of the game of golf, 18 holes will generally be provided. In the member 14, another window 17 is provided, for indicating the hole which is being played at any given time. At the left-most end of the casing 13, windows 18 are provided, for indicating the cumulative total score of the holes played up to any given time.

At the right-most end of the rotatable member 14, a pair of dials 2% are provided, for manual actuation, for moving the mechanism which registers a score at any of the windows 16, from one position to another, for registering a score at a given window, relative to another window. A strip 21 is illustrated in phantom, in that the same way optionally be provided, for attachment to the casing 13, as indicated, by any suitable means, such as an adhesive or the like, with the strip 21 being adapted to contain handicap information, or any other suitable or desirable indicia.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in particular, it will be seen that the casing 13 is a hollow cylindrical member,

within which there is provided a transparent member 22, that may, if desired, be disposed immediately against the inside surface of the casing 13, but in any event, will traverse the windows 16 thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, and which preferably, together with a spring member 23 will, in transverse section as illustrated in FIG. 5, define a sleeve-like interfitting, within the member 13. The spring 23 will be of any suitable spring steel construction or the like, and will have spring-like resilient protuberances 24 adapted to engage within notches 25 on the periphery 26 of a rotatable member or element 27. The element 27'will have a larger diameter portion 28 and a reduced diameter portion 30, with the portion 28 being in engagement against the inner surface of the transparent member 22, or against the inner surface of the spring 23, and with the portion 30 being spaced radially, inwardly thereof. Generally, if the members 27 are to be adjustable between different positions, during complete rotation, there will be 10 such notches 25, serving as detent means or the like for engagement by protrusions 24 of the spring 23, as the members 27 are rotated from one position to another corresponding to various numerals numbering from zero through nine, such numerals being present as indicia on the outer peripheral surface of the portion 30 of the member 27, as illustrated in FIG. 2. It will thus be seen, that, as measured longitudinally, the windows 16 will be longitudinally aligned withv the portions 30 of the members or elements 27. Furthermore, it will be clear that all of the elements are constructed generally similarly, and accordingly, the detailed description of each, need not be repeated herein.

Each of the elements 27 is provided with a notch 31 on its inner peripheral surface, also as illustrated in FIG. 5. These notches 31 run longitudinally through the length of the elements 27.

It will now be clear that each element 27 will move rotationally relative to the transparent member 22 and spring 23, and that the transparent member 22 and spring 23 are fixed relative to the casing 13.

A longitudinal cylindrical sleeve 32 is provided, disposed through center holes in the elements 27, with the sleeve having an elongated cut-out 33 (FIGS. 3 and 5) through most of its length, as illustrated in FIG. 3.A pair of guide rods 34 and 35 are welded or otherwise suitably secured within the sleeve 32, substantially throughout its length. A slider member 36 is movable slidably along the guide rods 34 and 35, from the position illustrated in FIG. 3, to the right-most end of the sleeve member 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The slider 36 also serves the purpose of connecting together opposite ends of the belt 37 that will later be described herein, such connection being effected by suitable threaded members 38 or the like. Moreover, a notch-engaging portion 40 of the slider member 36, is provided, suitably secured thereto by the threaded fasteners 38 or the like, or by any suitable means, with a protrusion portion 41 of the notch-engaging portion 40 being adapted to slide through aligned notches 31 of a plurality of rotatable exements 27 that are longitudinally aligned, as long as a plurality of longitudinally aligned spring portions 24 are engaged within also longitudinally aligned notches 25 on the outer peripheries of the element portions 26.

The belt 37 is mounted over a suitable axle or pin 43, at its left-most end, as viewed in FIG. 3. The member 43 is rotatable on its shaft 44, that in turn is carried by the left-most end of the sleeve 32 and by the supporting ring 45, that in turn is welded, press-fit, or otherwise suitably secured to the left-most end of the sleeve 32, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The left-most end of the sleeve 32 is slidably rotatably mounted within the bushing 47, that in turn is fixedly disposed within the casing 13 (against the transparent member 22, if desired). In any event, the sleeve 32 may be rotated relative to the bushing 47.

The right-most end of the sleeve 32 is fixedly secured by means of a pin 48, to supporting members 50 and 51, that in turn, are press-fit within a transparent member 52 that traverses the window 17, and that in turn is fixedly positioned relative to'the rotatable or manually actuable portion 14. The portion 14 is sleeve-like in its construction, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. Thus, upon grasping the portion 14, and turning the same relative to the casing 13, the sleeve 32 will be rotated relative to the bushing 47, for arcuately positioning the notch-engaging portion 40 where 'desired. When the protrusion 41 is disposed within a given notch 31, such will cause that element 27 the notch 31 of which contains the protrusion 41, to similarly be rotated, as the portion 41 is rotated, and, upon terminating the rotation of the member 14 upon a spring finger 24 engaging another desired notch 25 in the periphery of the element 27, the element 27 will be moved to a new position, such that other numerical indicia on the surface of its reduced diameter portion 30 will be visible through its associated window 16. It will be clear, that by thus rotating the member 14, only an element 27 in which the protrusion 41 is engaged within a notch 31 thereof will be turned, and that the sleeve 32 will turn relative to the other elements 27, which will remain unchanged, in their positions, in that no protrusion 41 will be engaged within notches 31 thereof.

The right-most end of the belt 37 is carried by a suitable sleeve or pulley-like. member 55 that is also shaftmounted at 56, with the shaft 56 being fixedly carried within members 50 and 51, as is the pin 48. A suitable plug 57 may be provided, in the right-most end of the rotatable casing portion 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3, if desired.

Dial members 20 may be provided, having toothed peripheries as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, if desired, for ease of turning by the use of fingers or the like. These dial members 20 are fixedly carried by the sleeve 55, for rotating the sleeve 55, as the dial members 20 are turned, such that, by turning the sleeve 55, relative to the shaft 56, the belt 37 will be driven. It will be clear that slots are provided in a casing 14, for passage of portions of the toothed periphery of each of the dials 20 therethrough, for ease of actuation. It will also be apparent that if desired, only one dial 20 could be utilized, but that two are preferable. By turning the dial 20, in the direction of the arrow 58 illustrated in FIG. 3, it will be seen that the slider member 36 may be moved from left to right, for aligning its protrusion 41 thereof, within a notch 31 of another one of the rotatable elements 27. When the protrusion 41 is within a notch 31 of a desired element 27, corresponding to the hole in which it is desired to record a score, the portion 14 will then be turned as aforesaid to change the score on that particular hole by rotating that particular element 27 in the manner described above. 7 I

It will thus be clear that, within the confines of the length of a device 12, various ones of the elements, as desired, may be selected, for rotation, without requiring telescopic movement of large members relative to each other, and without requiring undue extension of the length of the member 12, during its use.

It will further be seen as described hereinafter, that as the sleeve 32 is rotated, the counting device of this invention is also rotated, or turned, to record in the windows 18, a cumulative or total score (or to subtract if desired). The member 45 that is carried for rotation with the sleeve 32, is connected to a first ring member 60 of the counting device generally designated by the numeral 61 of this invention, by a pair of pins 62 and 63 (see FIG. 7). Thus, the member 60 is adapted for fixed rotation, always with the sleeve 32. The member 60 has indicia (numerical type) on its outer peripheral surface, as illustrated in FIG. 7, numbering from zero through nine, to correspond with the indicia on the outer peripheral surface of the member 27, for example, and arranged such that any of the numbers may appear at the right-most one of the windows 18, depending upon a given position of the member 60 relative to such window at any given time. The member 60 is ringlike, and is provided with an annular protrusion 64 at its left-most end, adapted to nestingly interfit within a next adjacent ring member 65.

Lug means 66 is provided, protruding axially, or longitudinally into the interior of the member 65, such that, when the members 60 and 65 are fitted together, on a shank 67, and with the member 60 being rotated relative thereto, the lug means 66, during one arcuate portion of a complete revolution, will engage one of three selected teeth 68 of a pinion gear 70, and turn the same as illustrated in FIG. 8, through a short arcuate portion corresponding, for example, to ten percent of a revolution. During this movement of the pinion gear 70, the full-toothed peripheral portion 71 being in mesh with teeth 72 on the inner periphery of the rotatable member 65, will turn the member 65 a slight amount, corresponding to the portion of the complete rotation of the member 60, in which a lug 66 of the member 60 is in engagement with one of the selected teeth 68 of the pinion gear 76. it can thus be seen, by selecting the positions of the lugs 66, and pinion gears 70, relative to the numerical indicia on the surfaces thereof, and relative to the positions of the windows 18, that as the member 66 is rotated in such a direction as to convert a then-appearing numeral 9 in the right-most one of the windows 18, to the numeral 9, the lug 66 will at that time engage a selected tooth pinion 63, for turning a then-appearing in the middle one of the windows E8 to the numeral 1. it will further be apparent that while three teeth 68 are illustrated for engagement by a lug 66, any number may be utilized, as long as the relative dimensions are properly correlated so that the pinion gear 70 will not be rotated, except when it is desired for a primary rotatable member 66 to turn a secondary rotatable member 65. Also, while the particular device illustrated and described above has been described with reference to ten different positions about its circumference, or during a complete rotation thereof, if a counting device having any other number of positions of its rotatable members as they are moved rotationally where desired, corresponding dimensions of pinion gears and lugs may be selected, such that the secondary or driven rotatable member is moved only during a desired arcuate portion of movement of the primary rotatable member.

It will also be noted that the pinion gear may be of molded plastic construction or the like, having six teeth on that portion of its periphery that is adapted to engage with teeth 72, and having three teeth on the remainder of its periphery, for engagement as aforesaid with lug portions 66.

lt will be noted that a counter having two rotatable members 60 and 65, and a single pinion gear 70 arranged as described above, may be sufticient for many instances, even for use of the counter 61 as a total scoring mechanism in a golf scoring device as described herein. However, in many instances, and even for use as a golf scoring device, in order to accommodate those persons having scores in excess of 99, it may be desirable to have a third rotatable element 73, constructed identically to the element 65, except for the presence of lugs 66 and a ring portion 64, but otherwise having internal gear teeth therein adapted to be turned by a rotating pinion gear 74, which in turn is adapted to be engaged and turned by a lug protruding axially from the member 65, in the same manner as that 66 protruding from the member 60. It will further be noted that the lugs of rotatable members 65 and 60 are adapted for working in an opposite direction, for reduction of a total score, in a manner opposite to that illustrated for the direction of movement of the arrows of FIG. 8.

The shank 67 of the end plug is adapted to slidably and rotatably receive the rotatable members 73, 65 and 6t) thereover, and has a channel or longitudinal recess or groove 76 therein for accommodating the pinion gears 74 and 70, mounted for rotation about a shaft 77 carried fixedly within the plug 75, in order that the pinion gears 74 and 70 may be eccentrically mounted relative to a central axis of rotation of the rotatable mem' bers 73, 65 and 60.

An end plate 78 is adapted, by the use of fasteners 80 securing the end plate '78 to theshank 67, to facilitate the containment of the counting unit as a separate device, if desired. This device may be press-fit into the left-most end of the scoring device 12 illustrated in FIG. 3, with the pins 62 and 63 thereof being disposed in suitable holes in the bushing 45, for driving of the pins 62 and 63, and rotation of the first rotatable member 60 of the counting device 61.

In FIG. 10, there is illustrated a surface of the belt 37, having numerical indicia thereon, corresponding to various positions of the protrusion 41 of the slider member 36, relative to various ones of the windows 16, and various ones of the rotatable elements 27, that, also correspond to various holes being played. Such indicia as is indicated in FIG. 14), on the belt 37, may be observed through the window l7 illustrated in FIG. 1.

It will be apparent from all of the foregoing that the various components of the counter, and of the scoring device may be constructed by molding, as of plastic construction or the like, lending themselves to manufacturing economies. Furthermore, various of the elements of the device of this invention would be of identical construction. Furthermore, the counter, because of its construction, can be made quite small, thereby lending itself toward various other uses. Furthermore, the rotatable counter members, and in fact even the rotatable elements of the individual holes of the scoring device itself, are mere collars, all of which lend themselves toward being made of molded construction,

thereby reducing, or eliminating the necessity for machining.

It will further be apparant that various other uses may be made of the broad aspects of this invention, other than as a golf scoring device, but for other recording and scoring devices as may be desired. Also, the invention may be made in any suitable manner, and the various details in construction and operation of the parts may be altered, all within the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A scoring device for use in a game of golf or the like, comprising a plurality of first means for indicating the score of each of the holes individually and preserving the score of each hole throughout the game, second means for'indicating a total score of all holes played, wherein said indicating means comprise rotatable elements generally coaxially aligned, including means for selectively rotating any of the elements of said first means to set the score of a hole corresponding thereto, and for simultaneously rotating at least one element of said second means in response to rotation of any of the elements of said first means to set a total score, wherein said means for selectively rotating includes a longitudinally movable member disposed for movement through said elements for selective engagement with a said element, and having a manually engageable means for facilitating rotation of said longitudinally movable memher, and wherein said manually engageable means is mounted in a fixed longitudinal position, against longitudinal displacement relative to said elements.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said longitudinally movable member comprises a belt driven lug engageable with any of said elements of said first means.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of the elements of said first means is ring-like having an inner peripheral surface each with a plurality of notches therein, for engagement by said lug.

4. The device of claim 1 and wherein said means for selectively rotating includes a dial member mounted in said manually engageable means for movement therewith and connected to said longitudinally movable member by a flexible drive member.

5. The device of claim 1, including separate indicia means for indicating the hole being played at any given time.

6. A scoring device comprising a plurality of ring-like elements each mounted for independent rotation within a hollow cylindrical casing, with indicia being disposed on the peripheries of said elements and with window means being provided in said casing for viewingof said indicia therethrough, an elongated sleeve disposed within and rotatable relative to said elements, a slider member disposed within said sleeve and longitudinally positionable relative to the elements for selective engagement with inner peripheries thereof, a rotatable manual drive member atone end of the casing and fixedly connected to the sleeve for positioning said slider member rotatively relative to a given said element, and rotatably movable dial means for positioning said slider member longidutinally upon rotation thereof, whereby individual scores are recordable by moving selected elements rotatively for observation of selected indicia through said window means.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said dial means comprises a member fixedly mounted in a longitudinal direction in said manual drive means, and connected to said slider member.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the inner peripheries of said elements are provided with a plurality of notches for engagement by said slider member.

9. The device of claim 6, including a counter disposed within said casing and having rotative elements with indicia on the peripheries thereof visible through casing window means and means mounting the counter for rotational movement with said sleeve, whereby r0- tative movement of any of said elements effects a cumulative rotative movement of at least one said counter element.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said slider member is connected to said dial means by a flexible belt.

11. The device of claim 10, including means associated with the position of the slider member for indicating the element relative to which the slider member is positioned at any given time. 

1. A scoring device for use in a game of golf or the like, comprising a plurality of first means for indicating the score of each of the holes individually and preserving the score of each hole throughout the game, second means for indicating a total score of all holes played, wherein said indicating means comprise rotatable elements generally coaxially aligned, including means for selectively rotating any of the elements of said first means to set the score of a hole corresponding thereto, and for simultaneously rotating at least one element of said second means in response to rotation of any of the elements of said first means to set a total score, wherein said means for selectively rotating includes a longitudinally movable member disposed for movement through said elements for selective engagement with a said element, and having a manually engageable means for facilitating rotation of said longitudinally movable member, and wherein said manually engageable means is mounted in a fixed longitudinal position, against longitudinal displacement relative to said elements.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said longitudinally movable member comprises a belt driven lug engageable with any of said elements of said first means.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of the elements of said first means is ring-like having an inner peripheral surface each with a plurality of notches therein, for engagement by said lug.
 4. The device of claim 1 and wherein said means for selectively rotating includes a dial member mounted in said manually engageable means for movement therewith and connected to said longitudinally movable member by a flexIble drive member.
 5. The device of claim 1, including separate indicia means for indicating the hole being played at any given time.
 6. A scoring device comprising a plurality of ring-like elements each mounted for independent rotation within a hollow cylindrical casing, with indicia being disposed on the peripheries of said elements and with window means being provided in said casing for viewing of said indicia therethrough, an elongated sleeve disposed within and rotatable relative to said elements, a slider member disposed within said sleeve and longitudinally positionable relative to the elements for selective engagement with inner peripheries thereof, a rotatable manual drive member at one end of the casing and fixedly connected to the sleeve for positioning said slider member rotatively relative to a given said element, and rotatably movable dial means for positioning said slider member longidutinally upon rotation thereof, whereby individual scores are recordable by moving selected elements rotatively for observation of selected indicia through said window means.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said dial means comprises a member fixedly mounted in a longitudinal direction in said manual drive means, and connected to said slider member.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the inner peripheries of said elements are provided with a plurality of notches for engagement by said slider member.
 9. The device of claim 6, including a counter disposed within said casing and having rotative elements with indicia on the peripheries thereof visible through casing window means and means mounting the counter for rotational movement with said sleeve, whereby rotative movement of any of said elements effects a cumulative rotative movement of at least one said counter element.
 10. The device of claim 7, wherein said slider member is connected to said dial means by a flexible belt.
 11. The device of claim 10, including means associated with the position of the slider member for indicating the element relative to which the slider member is positioned at any given time. 